Large-scale encroachment of forest land is going on unchecked in the apple belt of Himcahal. These violations are highest in the Shimla district, which along accounts for over half of the total encroachment cases in the entire state. Emboldened and inspired by the local timber mafia, who after occupying and clearing huge chunks of forest land for horticulture purposes in the late seventies and early eighties, have bot only remained scotfree but also become incredibly rich. It now appears to have become a dream of several other farmers to follow their footsteps, without any fear of the consequences.